Marvel Movie Minute • Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Minute Five: From Frost Giants to FrozenThe Casket of Ancient Winters! In the fifth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• The frost giants land in Norway. They’re on the wrong side of the fjord, but that doesn’t stop Laufey from releasing the power of the casket of ancient winters to not only freeze the water but also everything in its path, including our viking mother and child, who we had only just gotten to know.
• Oh – and it’s not the tesseract. It’s the casket of ancient winters. It’s easy to make that mistake as they’re both blue glowing cubes. Okay, so this one has handles, but still...
• Speaking of the casket of ancient winters, we talk about a great Walt Simonson run called The Surtur Saga that weirdly connects all three Thor films as it brings in Surtur and Malekith.
• Marvel surprises us by killing a kid in the film. Okay, so it’s one we hardly knew, but still...
• There’s also some talk about Norse mythology about giants, parentage, and more.
• The frost giants looked very different when they first appeared in the comics. They’ve evolved over time to land on what they look like here, but we talk about how they’ve changed.
• We also chat about their weapons, how they form ice on their bodies to use in the battle, their armor, and their tattoos.
• But what do the frost giants actually want? And how do they travel through the bifrost?
• Even if the frost giants are just twirling their mustaches, we still enjoy them.

Kenneth Branagh is clearly having fun here with the Casket, the frost giants, and the Asgardians.

• Branagh really wanted to keep the camera in close to understand the chaos of battle. It works. But it is hard to see, particularly as it’s night too.
• There’s also a lot of handheld camera which adds to the chaos.
• It’s kinda hard to tell the frost giants are actually taller than everyone else but you can tell when you pause.
• It’s cool to see the frost giants’ skill of growing ice on their bodies to use as weapons. Again... hard to tell in the dark.
• Odin uses his uru spear Gungnir to stab and flip a frost giant over him. It’s pretty cool.
• Oh – and Odin’s younger. We mostly like the look but it does make us wonder... how do gods grow old?
• And are they immortal? Odin brings up this fact so we’re that much more confused.
• It’s interesting how myths are created and we have some fun speculating here.
• Paul Nicklin and Norbert Rosing are two amazing National Geographic photographers whose work was used as inspiration for the frost giants, Jotunheim, and everything icy.
• Damn, Laufey’s red eyes are so cool. (As cool as the casket though?)
• And we play the IMDb game with Colm Feore.

The epic battle with the Casket of Ancient Winters is just getting started in this minute. Join in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Four: From a Victim to a VoiceoverA trip to Tonsberg! In the fourth minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• This is definitely a bifurcated minute. We start with the aftermath of the atmospheric disturbance and the crash, and end in a flashback to Tonsberg, Norway in 965 A.D.
• Darcy does a great job of passing the buck in another of our favorite lines of hers.
• Meanwhile, Jane’s concerned that she didn’t just kill someone.
• But who is this someone? Branagh and team decided to film this in a way that keeps Thor left in mystery. We’re always distant or he’s shadowed, leaving the focus on Jane and her reaction. We love this.
• Speaking of Jane, she looks great in her closeup as she looks at the mysterious body on the ground. Nothing like great flashlight lighting!
• While this is happening, Erik doesn’t have much to say, though he has more to say in the script.
• Without Erik's dialogue, Jane’s question “Where did he come from?” works really well and feels stronger. To that end, it’s a great question to leave us with as it also leads well into Odin’s story.

We transition from the present in New Mexico to the past in Tonsberg Norway.

• But it wasn't Odin's story in the script. Oddly, it’s Heimdall who comes in with a big monologue here instead of Odin telling a story. No flashback. Just a trip through space and Yggdrasil as Heimdall hits the nail on the head with his monologuing to Asgard.
• Speaking of Heimdall, we love Idris Elba and would’ve loved more of him in the Thor movies. This monologue, though? It's too much. Too expository.
• Back to the transition to the past, we have text on the screen identifying this as Tonsberg Norway 965 A.D. But why do they use A.D. and not C.E.? Is that implying Norse gods and God are all in this universe? Or is it just the studio playing it safe?
• Speaking of Tonsberg, it is a real city in Norway, but not as depicted in the MCU. And we do mean the MCU – it’s been in three (maybe four) films so far, plus What If...?
• So why does Odin send Thor to New Mexico? Perhaps it’s because it’s so far from Norway?
• We meet some of our vikings in the village and linger a bit on a mother and child.
• While we're here, we hear another track from Patrick Doyle – Prologue. And we love it.
• And we play the IMDb game with Sir Anthony Hopkins.

From present day New Mexico to 965 A.D. in Norway, there’s a lot to discuss. Join in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Three: From Chasing to CrashingDarcy drives! In the third minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor... 

• We get a good look at what Darcy saw in her rearview mirror in the last minute. It's cool.
• And then the astronomical disturbance turns into what looks like a fiery tornado. Darcy's right to not want to drive toward it.
• To that end, Erik’s right to be surprised. This doesn’t look like a subtle aurora. But at least he’s on board with her now.
• Clearly, Jane is the storm chaser Erik accused her of being. She really wants to drive into what looks like a tornado?
• Darcy the intern drives like a maniac. But it is the middle of the night off-roading in the desert.
• Jane’s filming the disturbance with her infrared camera. Is there a man in there? Matthew sees it but Andy doesn’t.

Okay, let's talk about the smarts when it comes to driving toward what looks like a tornado.

• But is it a man or a... cello? Regardless, we agree with Darcy that you shouldn’t be driving toward it.
• And how exactly does a trip through the bifrost work, and why is this particular trip so much grander than any we’ve seen since?
• Regardless, we question Jane’s scientific methods in her race to the site of the disturbance. Wouldn’t driving into the storm mean she’s destroying any evidence on the ground under it? What’s the benefit for her research to drive into this anomaly?
• So, does Jane want to drive into it because of the magnetometer on the top of the van? Would it be recording something?
• To that end, is Jane the type to have discussed possible dangers of the internship with Darcy? And is Darcy the type who would’ve just ignored those warnings?
• The aurora borealis doesn’t make sounds. This particular disturbance definitely is making sound. It’s much more like a storm. At the end, we can hear the bifrost close if we’re paying attention.
• But really, the best thing about all of this is that it actually feels like something scientific.

The chase is on in this minute. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute Two: From Science to Sky LightIn the second Jane-filled minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• Jane Foster is an astrophysicist now, not a nurse. We've pointed this out before but just a reminder. It's not the same Jane as in the comics.
• We try to figure out what Jane is actually studying.
• The Aurora Borealis rarely appears in New Mexico, but we know Jane’s recorded it 17 times so far. Based on the MCU Timeline, it seems like it's all pretty recent too.
• Darcy Lewis has grown so much in our estimation because of her appearance in WandaVision. We hope everyone feels the same.
• Kat Dennings gives such great eye roll.

Just what is Jane actually working on?

• Erik Selvig watches Jane work. And we just love this character! But what’s the history with him and Jane? There's not much here. Still, Stellan Skarsgård is always great to watch.
• Is what Jane’s been tracking actually related to Asgard or is the upcoming Bifrost trip somehow connected to all of these auroras in New Mexico? Or do they just happen to coincide?
• And speaking of auroras, do auroras appear at such specific times? I mean seriously... Erik's awfully put off when it doesn't show up at the exact second.
• There’s more in the script about Erik’s and Jane’s backstory. Sounds like he worked with her dad at some point.
• Darcy just seems sooooooo disinterested.
• We also run through the IMDb Game with Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings and Stellan Skarsgård. Dang! They're all so busy!

We have a great time covering all of these elements and more. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Minute One: From Titles to TypingIn the first minute of Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor...

• We start with the titles for Thor. The title screens for both Paramount Pictures as well as Marvel Studios remind us we're still in a different era.
• While they play, Patrick Doyle’s fantastic first track “Chasing the Storm” gets our juices pumping.
• This helps us transition to Puente Antiguo, New Mexico on a moonless night. Does this have anything to do with the end of last season?
• It may be moonless, but it's noisy. Night insects chirp and a distant vehicle idles.
• Inside the vehicle, three people work on very scientific equipment. Well, two of them. One just sits there in the darkness.
• But who are these scientists? Well, we meet Jane Foster played by Natalie Portman and Erik Selvig played by Stellan Skarsgård.
• But why isn't Jane a nurse? It's the first big change from the comics.
• Turns out Jane’s not a nurse but an astrophysicist and has a screen up on which displays information about the Van Allen Belt.
• We like that Branagh wanted to start on Earth and not in Asgard with Thor. It grounds the story for us.
• Branagh favors dutch angles because of time as a youth spent reading comic books.
• Also, Branagh and his cinematographer seem to really like handheld camera work.
• As we said back in the first episode of Iron Man, you have to earn your wizards. Marvel certainly has done that.

With all of that, there’s a surprising amount of things to discuss in this first minute. Tune in!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Our Final Thoughts and Expectations as We Prepare for Thor in Our Last Hiatus EpisodeThis is our last hiatus episode between seasons three and four before we start breaking down Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor into one minute chunks to discuss each one in glorious detail. Because of that, we thought that it would be a good time for us – Matthew Fox and Andy Nelson – to discuss our backgrounds with the character of Thor, the movie, and the comics.The Movies and BeyondThis episode gives us a chance to chat about our initial thoughts 10 years ago before we went into the theatre to meet the god of thunder, and what we thought afterward. It’s a chance for us to touch on how our thoughts about Thor, Loki, and their stories between Asgard, Midgard, and the rest of the universe have changed and evolved over the decade as their characters have moved through the various films all the way up through to Loki and the upcoming Thor: Love & Thunder.The ComicsWe also talk about our connections to the comics. While Andy read comics throughout his life, Thor was never a title he picked up. Matthew rarely has read comics. But this show has given us both (mostly Andy) a chance to dig into the comics more to read the early Journey Into Mystery issues, JMS’s line of Thor, Walt Simonson’s Surtur Saga, and more.The MythologyThis film provides us (mostly Matthew) a chance to go through more of the Norse mythology so we can better understand the origins. What’s changed? What’s remained the same and why? Have Loki and Thor always had daddy issues?Last Hiatus EpisodeNext week, we’ll start our exploration of Thor. For now, pour yourself a drink, kick back, relax, and join us as we share our thoughts on the macroscopic level before we dig in deep next week.Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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Halfway Through the HiatusMarvel One-Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s HammerAs we inch closer to the release of Season Four, we dig into one of the One-Shots. The One-Shots were a series of short films that Marvel produced to be released on several of their movies when released on physical media. This particular One-Shot was actually released on the Captain America: The First Avenger Blu-ray and DVD, not on Thor.For our purposes, however, it makes a lot more sense to talk about this one now because the events in it literally take place as Agent Phil Coulson, always played with incredible charm by Clark Gregg, drives from LA to New Mexico to investigate what turns out to be the arrival of Thor and his hammer on Midgard, aka Earth. In this episode, Matthew and Andy are joined by Pete Wright. You remember Pete – co-host of season one: Iron Man. He’s also the co-host with Andy on The Next Reel film podcast. (It’s certainly worth checking out if you haven’t already.)So much to talk about in this One-Shot!Even though it’s a short film, there is a lot in here to discuss. Just where is Puento Antiguo exactly? We try to plot that out based on the mileage signs. And how about all that product placement. It’s everywhere except the gas pump itself which advertises Roxxon. Yeah, that Roxxon. We debate which Little Debbie donut would be the smarter pick for Coulson, but he’s interrupted by men with guns holding the gas station up.Coulson’s incredibly good at disarming the robbers with his off-putting and weirdly direct comments. Did you know the stunt work in this One Shot used up 80% of the budget for this one and The Consultant? It just goes to show how smart they were in using the money. We discuss the stunt performers as well as the connection to the original Broadway show and subsequent movie “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”Why is it so hard to find the One-Shots??The biggest question we have with the short is why Disney doesn’t seem interested in doing anything with this or the other One-Shot shorts officially. (We say that knowing they've put them on Disney + periodically, most notably with the buzz growing for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. They were only officially released on the physical media editions of several of the MCU films. Why? We may never know, but what we do know is that it’s a lot of fun and certainly worth a watch.Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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• One-Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer
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Let the Hiatus Begin!It’s hard to believe that we’ve covered the first three films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe one minute at a time, but that’s where we are. (Then again, it’s hard to imagine how long it’ll take to get through the rest of the MCU!) We’ve covered Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and just wrapped on Iron Man 2. Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor is coming up next, but first... it’s time for our hiatus!We promise this break between Iron Man 2 and Thor will be shorter than the last!COVID threw the schedule off a bit between seasons two and three. We know that. With that in mind, this break will be much shorter. So short, in fact, that the first episode of Season 4: Thor (or T4or as we’re calling it) is going to pop up in your feeds in just a few weeks! Before that happens, though, let’s take a respite to cleanse our palates and get ready for the MCU’s first trip to space.All New Hosts!The first change that you’ll notice with our new season, starting in this hiatus episode, is that we have new hosts. Now if you listened to all the credits episodes for Iron Man 2, you would’ve heard Kyle’s and Rob’s interview with them and this wouldn’t be a surprise. All the same, it’s time for you to join Matthew Fox from Stranded Panda and our very own founder of Marvel Movie Minute himself, Andy Nelson. It’s going to be a fun season as these two jump in to talk all things Thor.It’s Time for Space Gods!In preparation for the Asgardians, Yggdrasil, Mjolnir and everything else from Norse mythology that we’ll be discussing in this fourth season, Matthew and Andy invited Jeff Randle from the Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast – a mega Thor fan – to discuss the comics, his favorite runs, the Norse myths, and more. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this hiatus episode that’s a bit of a comic primer, a bit of a mythology primer, and a lot of fun.Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on TruStory FM’s Discord channel!Film Sundries

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This is it. The final minute of Iron Man 2 is here for your listening pleasure. We close it out with the final shot of the movie that serves as a wonderful segue to the Marvel Movie Minute’s next season. So listen to the finish line episode as we dole out thanks to a whole lot of people including the most important one: YOU our listeners! What a ride it’s been. Stay subscribed for season four coming soon!Film Sundries

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• Original theatrical trailer
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• Iron Man Tony Stark
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Did you know about the proliferation of the luxury vehicle market in the 1980’s? Well you’re about to find out more because it has to do with Agent Coulson. We try to decrypt a license plate and a little more about the Land of Enchantment. Join us! There’s still one more stop on the season two road trip!Film Sundries

• Watch this film: Disney+ • iTunes • Amazon • YouTube
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• Script Transcript
• Original theatrical trailer
• Original poster artwork
• Iron Man Tony Stark
• Justin Hammer

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